Chassis for air curtain type refrigerated display case



Oct. 6, 1970 c. TAVALLALI ET AL 3,532,404

CHASSIS FOR AIR CURTAIN TYPE REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Filed Dec. 19, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l WNW W U eosir s 547 70 BYSTEVE/V 70TH 7/ W 6 fuzz) Oct. 6, 1970 1 c, TAVALLAU ET AL 3,532,404

CHASSIS FOR AIR CURTAIN TYPE REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE Filed Dec. 19, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS BY TEVE/V d. ram

United States Patent US. Cl. 312--214 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to the construction of the framework or chassis for an air curtain type, or closed type, refrigerated display case. The principal parts of the chassis are a plurality of longitudinally spaced generally U-shaped beams which are molded from plastic or fiberglass reinforced plastics and have C-shaped cross sections.

The invention relates generally to a new and improved chassis for air curtain type or closed type refrigerated display cases of the type commonly found in supermarkets and particularly to constructional features thereof.

A chassis constructed in accordance with the present invention has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, generally U-shaped beams which are molded from plastics, or from fiberglass reinforced plastics, and have C-shaped cross sections. The U-shaped beams are tied or connected together with two longitudinally extending wooden beams or rails and with inner and outer panels which are attached to the beams with insulation being provided between the inner and outer panels. The panels may be sheet metal panels or fiberglass reinforced plastic panels.

The U-shaped beams are easily and uniformly formed to desired contours by molding and their use provides a substantial saving by reason of the avoidance of metal forming and welding required in prior art constructions. Also, as the beams are made of a plastic material, little or no sweating occurs, the presence of which would adversely affect the heat insulating effectiveness of the insulation.

The 'U-shaped beams have strengths approaching that of steel and the C-shaped cross sections make them ideal structural members. In addition to their strength, the beams are light in weight and have good insulation values.

The main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved chassis for air curtain type and closed type refrigerated display cases and particularly to structural features thereof as referred to above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, drawings and appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an air curtain type refrigerated display case;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side elevational views, respectively, of a chassis for the display case shown in FIG. 1 which embodies the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a generally U-shaped beam which is in accordance with the invention and of which several are utilized in the chassis shown in FIGS. 2 to 4; and

'FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. I a side elevational view of an air curtain type refrigerated display case 10 of the type commonly found in supermarkets. The left side of the case 10 is the front and, although it is not illustrated, the case is open at the top to form an opening through which a customer may with- 3,532,404. Patented Oct. 6, 1970 ice draw selected food packages desired to be purchased. The air curtain may be from right to left over the opening but this has nothing to do with the invention.

Display case 10 has a chassis 11 which is shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and which is indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1. The chassis 11 may have variations in its shape Within the scope of the invention but in general it is generally trough shaped and comprises front and back sides 15 and 1-6 and a bottom 17.

Essential and important parts of the chassis 11 are a plurality of beams 20 each having an overall generally U-shape as may be noted in FIG. 5, and a generally C-shaped cross-section as may be noted in FIG. 6. The portions of each beam 20 which forms the U are its side portions 25 and 26 and its bottom portion 27'. The C-section of each beam 20 includes a pair of spaced apart flanges 28 and 29. The channel formed by the flanges is closed at opposite ends thereof by transversely extending cap portions 30 and 31.

The material for the beams is a tough and strong plastic or fiberglass reinforced plastic. The exact shape of the beams 20 is determined by the shape desired for the display case 10 and, as may be noted by comparing FIGS. 1 and 5, the outlines of the case 10 and the beam 20 are identical.

In the process of assembling the chassis 11, a plurality of a desired number of beams 20 are first placed in a jig (not shown) in the spaced apart relation shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Two lengths of wooden rails 35 and 36 are laid respectively on the cap portions 30 and 31 of beams 20 and fastened to the cap as with bolts and nuts or the like (not shown). Angle braces 38 may be attached between the wooden rails 35 and 36 and the C-beams 20 toprovide additional structural rigidity for the chassis.

Sheet metal or fiberglass reinforced plastic panels are fastened to the C-beam flanges 28 and 29 with nuts and bolts or the like to provide a skin or covering for both the exterior and the interior of the chassis 11. Six such panels are illustrated which are panels 41 to 46. In the course of applying or attaching the panels 41 to 46, and the chassis end panels, the space surrounded or to be surrounded by the panels is insulated either with a fiberglass insulation or a foamed-in-place insulation.

After the necessary drain trap and piping (not shown) are added, specially fabricated, insulated end panels such as the end panel 49 shown in FIG. 1 are attached to opposite ends of the chassis 11 by bolting them to the C-beams 20 at each end of the chassis. The chassis or shell is then added to the base 50 as indicated in FIG. 1. If a fiberglass insulation is used it is desirable that panels 41 to 43 on the inside of the chassis 11 be sprayed with a permanent, nonhardening sealant to provide vapor and water tightness. A sealant is not needed, however, if a foamed-in-place insulation is used.

At this stage the chassis 111 is ready to have apparatus installed therein and thereon such as refrigeration apparatus, duckwork and shelving, which is necessary to the providing of a complete display case.

What we claim is:

1. A chassis for an air curtain type refrigerated display case comprising, a plurality of longitudinally spaced U-shaped beams, each of said U-shaped beams having a bottom portion and flange portions arranged to form a C-shaped cross section, longitudinally extending structural member attached to said beams for maintaining said beams in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, sheets of material attached to said beam flanges to provide interior and exterior panels for said chassis, and insulation disposed between said panels.

2. A chassis according to claim 1 wherein said beams are molded fiberglass plastic members.

3. A chassis according to claim 2 wherein each end of each of said beams has a cap portion extending between said flanges, said longitudinally extending structural members being attached to said cap portions.

4. A chassis according to claim 3 wherein said longitudinally extending structural members are wooden beams.

5. A chassis according to claim 2 wherein said sheets of material are sheet metal panels.

4 References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,183,883 12/1939 Golder 312-214 2,725,271 11/1955 Cunningham 312 214 3,335,904

8/1967 Anderson 22015 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

